More Festa Major in Vilafranca del Penedès (Barcelona)!

I will make it very simple for this weekend (August 31 – September 2): If you have come here in order to explore Catalan culture there is only one place to be: Vilafranca del Penedès in Alt Penedès. And if you want to see the processions full of folklore - giants, firespitting monsters, human towers and traditional dances - which have made the Festa Major in this town so famous, then you have to hurry up: Tonight, Friday 31, is your last chance! But do not worry – during Saturday and Sunday there is still plenty to discover: a dance with fire (ball de foc) similar to the more well-known correfocs, a concert with havaneres, fireworks and more. Find here the full Town Festival program in English.

On top fop of Festa Major in Vilafranca, Alt Penedès also also sees the opening of the fair and festivities (fires i festes) in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia and this Saturday there is a children’s version of the Phylloxera festival (Festa de la Fil·loxera), coming next weekend. And if you are here to check out the state of our Penedès grapes why not do so while running – in Sant Llorenç d’Hortons they organize a race among the vineyards! Find here the full events calendar in English for Alt Penedès.

Moving over to Garraf, Sitges hosts the music festival Poptronik, open to everyone but especially targeting pink - gay - lgbt tourists. As a contrast, with the same dates, the same town organizes Posidònia – a festival focused on art and sustainable development. Find here the full events calendar in English for Garraf.

In Baix Penedès, the shop owners organize street markets outlet sales of summer products in Cunit and El Vendrell, but there is also a concert night at the castle in the oldtown of Calafell. Find here the full events calendar in English for Baix Penedès.

Anoia, finally, presents the most high profile sports event this time: a mountain bike race in Òdena, but you can also find the first activities related to the Festa Major of Piera and a havaneres concert in Castellolí. Find here the full events calendar in English for Anoia.

Yes, event the weather forecast looks great, so why not spend this weekend in Penedès?

Catalonia’s Best Human Towers at ‘Sant Fèlix’ in Vilafranca del Penedès

What great human towers (castells) we saw in Vilafranca del Penedès (Barcelona) today! At the beginning of the annual Diada de Sant Fèlix – held in honour of the town’s patron Saint and as a part of the Festa Major celebrations – we were all crossing our fingers, because there was a drizzle in the air, which actually turned into rain when – in the first round - the turn came to Castellers de Vilafranca. However, when the "green team" ("Els Verds") defied the weather gods and initiated what was to become their best exhibition ever, the rain stopped!

After opening with the traditional 4d9a, Verds followed up with a 3d9a and before finishing it all off with a Pd8, in the third round the made a 2d8 “net” – i.e. without an additional support structure on the second level - a human tower which has only been build four times throughout history (all four by this team). Summing up these results – with all four constructions being of the highest difficulty level (“gamma extra”), the local team ended up on par with their own Tots Sants exhibition 2010, considered the best performance ever seen among casteller teams.



Among the other teams, Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls impressed us all by crowning (but not completing; castell carregat, not desgarraget) the “gamma extra” 5d9f, this on top of completing 3d9f, 4d9f and Pd6.



Minyons de Terrassa made an attempt with the “gamma extra” 2d9fm, but the children hesitated and it fell apart while being dismantled. There end result was therefore 3d9, 4d9, 5d8 and two pillars of five levels.

The fourth team, Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona, were new for this year – replacing Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls - and completed 3d9, 4d9, 5d8 and 3 pillars of five levels.

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Personally, since I follow Bordegassos de Vilanova hands-on (quite literally!) I fully appreciate how difficult it is and how long a time it takes for a casteller team to improve. Having said, while I love Castellers de Vilafranca for all great constructions they show us, I cannot help feeling a bit sad that no other team can really challenge them.

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By the way: Before I reached the square plaça de la Vila of Vilafranca del Penedès today, the Falcons de Vilafranca – the acrobatic version of human towers typical for Penedès – had completed a human pillar of six levels lifted up into the air (pilar de 6 aixecat per sota). Unbelievably impressive! I do not know what they eat for breakfast in Vilafranca but would not mind a portion of it! ;)

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Do you want to see a human towers? At Discover Penedès you will find up-dated information in English about all exhibitions in Vilafranca del Penedès and the rest of the comarques Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès, Garraf and Anoia.

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Do you want to go to the most spectacular regular event there is in the world of castells? Saturday and Sunday October 6-7 this year, the bi-annual Concurs de Castells will yet again be organised in the old bull fighting arena of Tarragona. “My team”, Bordegassos de Vilanova will be there on the Saturday, while Castellers de Vilafranca will be challenged by the other top teams on the Sunday.

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Read more in Catalan - El Punt / Avui - or Spanish - LaVanguardia.

The Day of Human Towers during ‘Festa Major’ in Sitges (Barcelona)

Before it is time for the most important annual Day of Human Towers (diada castellera) in Catalonia – i.e. Diada de Sant Fèlix in Vilafranca del Penedès – I want to sum up what we experienced in Sitges last weekend.

This Diada de Festa Major on Sunday August 26 was one of these exhibitions big enough to attract one of the best teams – Minyons de Terrassa – and at the same time so intimate that you could come really close to the constructions.

As a matter of fact, as things developed, this year’s Festa Major turned into the best ever celebrated by the local team Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges: They opened with a 5d7, followed by the big 7d7 and rounded off by the always spectacular 3d7s – a construction where the castellers are lifted up (instead of climbing up) into their positions.



Minyons de Terrassa did not want to take any risks this day, but still was – of course – the team which offered the most advanced human in each of the three rounds: they opened with a 5d8 – also called la Catedral - , followed up with a magnificent 2d8f and finished with a 4d8.



The third team in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament – Castellers de les Roquetes – completed the castells 3d6, 3d6a and 4d6.

Now, let us hope it does not rain tomorrow (the forecasts do not look too good, though…). Whatever happens I will keep a certain distance to the teams – I go to Vilafranca to watch great human towers, not to end up in the pinyes… ;)

Guide in English the 'Festa Major' of Vilafranca del Penedès (Barcelona)

A number of festivals in Catalonia have been declared “Traditional Festivity of National Interest” but, in my eyes, few of them deserve it as well as the Festa Major de Vilafranca del Penedès - a town located only 50 minutes away from down town Barcelona, by car or train (Rodalies R4).

It starts today, August 29, and continues until Sunday, September 2. Here you can find the full program translated to English. As you will see, compared to other Town Festivals in Catalonia this festivity focuses completely on traditional Catalan culture. So, this is not the place to go for those of you who want foam parties, box car races and concerts with David Bisbal, but a true treasure for those of us who love Catalan stick dance (ball de bastons), ribbon dance (ball de cintes), Moixiganga, devils and monsters dancing under fire, havaneres and – of course – human towers and the acrobatic version called Falcons.

The most intense part are the first three days, which are in fact quite similar since they are centered around the processions full of cultural performances in honour of the town’s patron saint Sant Fèlix, but you can also see the sardana - the national dance of Catalonia – and (if you understand Catalan) the humorous short plays of Ball de Malcasats. The reason why the vilafranquins can celebrate like this during day time is that Thursday and Friday are local public holidays in this municipality.

Having said that, the human tower exhibition Diada de Sant Fèlix (August 30) attracts loads of people from other towns who – just like I – take leave to be able to go to Vilafranca to see the best casteller teams of Catalonia challenge each other. The atmosphere is absolutely unique, but the square plaça de la Vila on this day is, admittedly, not the best place in the world if you do not like big crowds or come with small children.

As an alternative you have the Diada de Sant Ramon on the day after (August 31). It is reserved for the local teams and funnily, Castellers de Vilafranca (the best team in Catalonia and the only one to take part in both events) is often more successful on the second day than on the first one.

During the weekend (September 1-2), the festival continues at a lower pace but there are still important events like the Dance with Fire (Ball de Foc – similar to a Correfoc), a havaneres concert, the children’s parade, a concert to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rock Català celebrities SAU and Pep Sala (the people behind Boig per tu) and – of course – the fireworks to mark the end of the Town Festival.

Visca el Festa Major de Vilafranca del Penedès!

Catalan town festivals and human towers in the wine region Penedès

The two biggest events in the wine region Penedès this weekend are the Town Festivals (Festa Major) of Sitges and Igualada (find more information by clicking on the name of each town). But there are a lot more things going on out here in Anoia (Igualada, Piera), Garraf (Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú), Baix Penedès (El Vendrell, Calafell etc.) and Alt Penedès (Vilafranca del Penedès, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia) during the days August 24-26. Click on the name of each comarca here below to reach its full events calendar in English.

Anoia has extremely much to offer this time, thanks to the Festa Major of Igualada; correfoc (“fire-run” with devils dancing under fire), traditional parades with performances (cercaviles), concerts with pop and rock in Catalan (eg. Els Catarres) and a very interesting day of human towers (castells), where local Moixiganguers d’Igualada will match their skills with two of the Top-6 teams in Catalonia; Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls and Capgrossos de Mataró.

Garraf will above all see the last parts of the Festa Major in Sitges – for example a huge procession with folk dance performances and a day with human towers where local Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges will be joined by one of the best teams in Catalonia – Minyons de Terrassa – plus almost local Castellers de les Roquetes. In Vilanova i la Geltrú there is a guided tour in French and the last free concerts of this summer season.

Baix Penedès has a sailing regatta in Segur de Calafell (Calafell) and concerts related to the Pau Casals International Music Festival in Sant Salvador (El Vendrell). Having said that, this weekend you might want to visit the inlands of the comarca: there are human tower exhibitions in the small towns L’Arboç, Santa Oliva and Albinyana.

Alt Penedès, finally, is the place to go for wine tourists: in Vilafranca del Penedès there are guided tours among the vineyards either by motorized bikes (“burricletes”) or on foot. In the same town there are performances based on the Catalan folk dance ball de gitanes. In Sant Sadurní d’Anoia there is a guided tour focusing on the architectural heritage.

And there is more to come: Next week sees the beginning of Festa Major de Vilafranca del Penedès – the most complete and genuine Town Festival of Catalonia. As a part of it, on Thursday August 30, four of the five currently best human tower building teams in Catalonia – Castellers de Vilafranca, Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls, Colla Jove de Xiquets de Tarragona and Minyons de Terrassa, - will challenge each other during the Diada de Sant Fèlix.

Welcome to Penedès - just 45 minutes from the centre of Barcelona!

Festa Major in Igualada – “La Coll@nada” – Program recommendations in English

The official program for the Town Festival of Igualada (Anoia, Barcelona) – Festa Major de Sant Bartomeu -, is only available in Catalan and this is why I publish this overview with explanations and recommendations in English.

Thursday, August 23

19:15; starting point in the street C/ Prat de Riba; finish in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity – Catalan culture: Parade with performances by giants (gegants), the eagle (àliga) and "big-heads" (capgrossos and nans). Rounded off through a short performance by each group – Acompanya la imatgeria a la plaça
Full route: C/ Prat de la Riba, C/ Milà i Fontanals, C/ Aurora, C/ d'Òdena, rbla. de Sant Isidre, C/ Garcia Fossas, pl. Creu, C/ Argent, pl. Ajuntament

21:00; in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Performances and opening speeches by various cultural entities – Som d’Igualada (“We’re from Igualada”)

22:00; in the building claustre de l’Escola Pia
Catalan culture – Sardana Concert
Band: Cobla Principal de Llobregat

Friday, August 24

12:00; in the street Rambla de Sant Isidre
Photo opportunity - Catalan culture: Tronada (“Thunderstorm”) – a huge string of fire crackers.
Catalans love to flavour their town festivals with the sound of explosions and the smell of gunpowder.

18:00; in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity - Catalan culture: Dance performances – Catalan stick dance (ball de bastons), the shepherds’ dance (ball de pastorets), the Moixiganga de Bitrac Dansa and a lot more.

19:00; in the basilica Santa Maria
Catholic traditions – Missa cantata: A sung mass in honour of Sant Bartomeu – the patron saint of Igualada

20:00; starting point in the square plaça del Pilar; finish in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity – Catalan culture: Parade with performances by trabucaires (people dancing with blunderbusses), devils, several variations of local folk dances and, most importantly, the figure of Sant Bartomeu. Rounded off through a joint performance by all groups – Cercavila de Sant Bartomeu.
Attention: The devils dancing under fire and other groups use noisy fire crackers which might scare children, however, these groups are all in the beginning of the parade.
Full route: pl. Pilar, pl. Bruc, C/ de Santa Maria, pl. Pius XII, C/ Custiol, rbla. Sant Isidre,
C/ de Garcia Fossas, pl. Creu, C/ Argent, pl. Ajuntament.

21:30 (approximately); in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity – Catalan culture: Performance by devils (diables) dancing under fire and reading satirical verses
Language: Catalan
Group: Ball de Sant Miquel i els Diables

22:00; in the street C/ Dr. Joan Mercader
Tapas (in Catalan: tapes) and drinks for €1,50 or more: Barraques’12 – Tasta El Rec

23:00; starting point in the square plaça de Sant Miquel; finish in the square plaça dels Traginers
Photo opportunity – Catalan culture: "Fire-Run" / Correfoc – Firespitting monsters and devils dancing under fire
Groups: Pixapólvora d'Igualada, Diables d'Igualada amb la Víbria jove d'Igualada, Cabrons de Vilanova del Camí, Ball de Sant Miquel i els Diables, Mal Llamp
Attention: Wear old clothes - covering arms and legs - and use a hat in case you plan to join the devils under the fire.
Full route: pl. Sant Miquel, C/ Sant Roc, C/ Sant Sebastià, pl. Creu, C/ de Sant Domènec, pl. Catarineu, C/ Creueta, C/ Traginers, pl. Traginers.

23:30; in the street C/ Dr. Joan Mercader
Catalan culture: Dancing to gralla music
A gralla is the wind instrument used to accompany the construction of human towers (castells).

Saturday, August 25

12:30; starting point in the square plaça Catarineu; finish in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Music parade - Musicada
Band: Banda de Música d'Igualada
Full route: pl. Catarineu, C/ Sant Ignasi, pl. Bas i Jordi, C/ de Sant Antoni M Claret, trav. Sant Domènec, C/ Sant Domènec, pl. Creu, C/ Argent, pl. Ajuntament.

18:00-22:00; in the square plaça Cal Font
Wall climbing competition
Organiser: Ingravita

19:00; starting point and finish in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity – Catalan culture: Parade with performances by devils dancing under fire (diables), fire spitting monsters, giants (gegants) and big-heads (capgrossos and nans). Rounded off by a performance by each group and the devils Diables d’Igualada reading their satirical verses.
Attention: The devils dancing under fire and other groups use noisy fire crackers which might scare children, however, these groups are in the beginning of the parade.
Full route: pl. Ajuntament, C/ Santa Maria, pl. Pius XII, C/ Roser, C/ Sant Jordi, rbla.
General Vives, rbla. Sant Isidre, C/ Garcia Fossas, pl. Creu, C/ Argent, pl. Ajuntament.

19:00; in the square plaça Pompeu Fabra
Samba style concert by a percussion ensemble - Batucada
Band: “Tutan Komon”

22:00; in the square plaça de Cal Font
Pop Concert - Pop-Rock en Català
Band: Macedònia

00:00; in the square plaça de Cal Font
Pop Concert - Pop-Rock en Català
Band: Teràpia de Shock

01:30; in the square plaça de Cal Font
Pop Concert - Pop-Rock en Català
Band: Els Catarres

03:00; in the street C/ Dr. Joan Mercader
Rock / Ska Concert – Pop-Rock en Català: El Rec Bull 2012
Band: Pastorets Rock

Sunday, August 26

08:00; in the streets of the old town
Catalan culture: Morning melodies - Matinades
Bands: Gralles i tabals dels Moixiganguers d'Igualada, Grallers de Dessota, Grallers de la Carpeta Verda and Grallers del Bisbalet

09:30; starting point in the street Rambla de Sant Isidre; finish in the square plaça del Bruc
Photo opportunity – Catalan culture: Parade with performances by fire spitting monsters, devils (diables) dancing under fire, giants (gegants), big-heads (capgrossos and nans) and groups performing various folk dances.
Attention: The fire spitting monsters and devils use noisy fire crackers but all walk in the beginning of the parade.
Full route: Rambla Sant Isidre, C/ Custiol, pl. Pilar, C/ Born, pl. Ajuntament, C/ Santa Maria, pl. Bruc.

10:00; in the basilica Santa Maria
Catholic traditions – Religious service: Festa Major 2012

12:15; in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity – Catalan culture: Humant towers (castells) – Diada de la Festa Major
Teams (colles): Moixiganguers d’Igualada, Capgrossos de Mataró and Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls
Capgrossos de Mataró and Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls rank among the best human tower building teams in Catalonia.

18:00; in the street Rambla de Sant Isidre
Catalan culture: Sardana dancing
Band: Orquestra Selvatana

20:00; in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Catalan culture – Concert: Festa Major 2012
Band: Orquestra Selvatana

20:30; in the square plaça del Pilar
Tug of war competition: Estira fort!

23:00; in the square plaça del Pilar
Concert by Catalan Singer-Songwriter
Musician: Miquel del Roig

Monday, August 27

19:00; starting point in the street C/ de l’Aurora; finish in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity – Catalan culture: Children’s parade with performances – Small fire spitting monsters, “little devils” dancing under fire, “small giants” and several groups performing folk dances.
Attention: Although this is a children’s parade, some groups in the beginning of the parade use noisy fire crackers.
Full route: C/ Aurora, C/ Sant Magí, rambla Sant Isidre, C/ Custiol, pl. Pius XII, C/ Santa Maria, pl. Ajuntament.

19:00; in the park parc de l’Estació Vella
Catalan culture – Concert: Havaneres (In Spanish: habaneras)
Band: Pescadors de l’Escala

20:00; in the street Rambla de Sant Isidre
Catalan culture: Sardana dancing
Band: Cobla Ciutat de Terrassa

23:00; in the square plaça Cal Font
Music and Fireworks – Piromusical “Somnis” (“Dreams”)
By: Pirotècnia Igual, S.A.

Visca la Festa Major d’Igualada!

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Find here the full official program in Catalan for the Town Festival in Igualada – Festa Major de Sant Bartomeu, or “La Coll@nada”.

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The fact that Igualada has the same patron saint as Sitges – Sant Bartomeu – makes their main town festivals coincide. Although I would not want to change these historic traditions, I cannot help feeling a bit sad, since as a result I never find the time to fully explore the Festa Major d’Igualada.

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By Erik Wirdheim – your guide in English and Swedish to the wine region Penedès (Catalonia, Spain).

'Festa Major' in Sitges 2012 - Program Recommendations in English

The town festival of Sitges (Garraf, Barcelona) - Festa Major de Sant Bartomeu -, 2012 has already begun, but fortunately for all of us who love Catalan traditions and folk culture, the best parts are still to come during the two main days, August 23-24.

Here are the events where I will go, might go or, at least -, could think of going:

Wednesday, August 22

13:00; at Ateneu Popular de Sitges; address: C/ Sant Bartomeu, 40
Enjoy folk music with a drink - Concert: Vermut de Festa Major
Band: Filibusters

20:00; in the building Palau del Rei Moro
Photo opportunity – Catalan culture: Rehearsal of human towers (castells)
Team (colla): Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges

21:00; on the beach platja de Sant Sebastià
Music - Concert
Band: Beatrix’ Drum and Bugle Corps

23:30; in the street passeig de la Ribera
Catalan culture – Concert: Havaneres (in Spanish: Habaneras)
Band: Els Cremats

Thursday, August 23 – La Vigilia

12:00; in the town centre
Catalan culture – Gralla music by several bands
A gralla is the wind instrument used to accompany the construction of human towers (castells)

14:00; on the beach platja de la Fragata
Opening ceremony – 21 mortars being fired off combined with bell ringing

14:00; in the square Cap de la Vila
Catalan culture – Sardana concert: the two pieces La Processó de Sant Bartomeu and La Festa Major
Band: Cobla Maricel

14:00; starting point in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament; Finish: in the garden Hort de Can Falç
Photo opportunity - Catalan culture; Parade with performances by firespitting monsters, devils dancing under fire, giants (gegants), the Moixiganga de Sitges and different folk dances more or less typical for Penedès.

17:45; in the square Cap de la Vila
Photo opportunity - Catalan culture: Human towers (castells)
Team (colla): Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges

19:00; starting point in the street C/ Sant Josep; Finish: in the square plaça del Baluard
Photo opportunity - Catalan culture; Parade with performances by firespitting monsters, devils dancing under fire, giants, different folk dances and other cultural expressions.
Full route: C/ Sant Josep, C/ Artur Carbonell, C/ Sant Bartomeu, C/ Sant Gaudenci, C/ Sant Francesc, C/ Sant Bonaventura, C/ Sant Josep, C/ Parellades, pl. Cap de la Vila, C/ Major, pl. Ajuntament, pl. Baluard.

23:00; in the square Cap de la Vila
Photo opportunity – Fireworks
The Festa Major of Sitges has the most beautiful fireworks throughout Penedès, thanks to a unique background – the church on la Punta – and a 360 degree frame created by the houses along the beach walk, the piers, the many sailing boats out in the sea and the marina.
By: Pirotècnica Igual, S.A.

00:30 (approximately); on the stairs leading down from the church to the square plaça de la Fragata
Photo opportunity – Catalan culture: All cultural expressions - firespitting monsters, devils, giants and all the folk dances -, descend the steep stairs while performing.

01:30 (approximately); in the street passeig de la Ribera
Catalan culture – Sardana concert and dancing: Revetlla sardanista
Band: Cobla Sitgetana

Friday, August 24; Diada de Sant Bartomeu Apòstol – the patron saint of Sitges

Local public holiday

6:00; starting point in the square plaça del Baluard; finish in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity - Catalan culture: Early morning parade by many of the folk dances and other cultural expressions
Full route: pl. Baluard, C/ Fonollar, Baluard Vidal i Quadras, Port de n’Alegre, C/ Rafael Llopart, C/ Sant Damià, C/ Sant Sebastià, C/ Jesús, C/ Sant Bartomeu, C/ Sant Gaudenci, C/ Sant Josep, C/ Espalter, pl. Espanya, C/ Espanya, C/ Joan Tarrida, pl. Indústria, C/ Marquès de Montroig, C/ Parellades, pl. Cap de la Vila, C/ Major, pl. Ajuntament.

10:30; in the parish church Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla; address: pl. Baluard, S/N
Catholic traditions – Festa Major religious service held in honor of Sant Bartomeu

12:30 (approximately); starting point in the square plaça del Baluard; finish in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity - Catalan culture: "Leaving church parade" by the folk dances and other cultural expressions plus the bands Cobla Maricel and Suburband. Rounded off by a joint, simultaneous performance, followed by the national anthem of Catalonia, Els Segadors.

13:30 (approximately); in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity - Catalan culture: Human towers (castells)
Team (colla): Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges

17:30; in the garden of Casino Prado; address: C/ Francesc Gumà, 6-14
Enjoy your afternoon coffee with music - Concert
Band: Cobla Maricel

17:30; in the garden of El Retiro; address: C/ Angel Vidal, 17
Enjoy your afternoon coffee with music - Concert
Band: Suburband

19:30; starting point and finish in the square plaça del Baluard.
Photo opportunity - Catalan culture; Procession with a figure of the patron saint Sant Bartomeu and performances by firespitting monsters, devils, giants (gegants), and all the folk dances more or less typical for Penedès. Rounded off by a joint performance by the giants, the firespitting monsters, the castellers etc.
Full route: pl Baluard, pl. Ajuntament, C/ d’en Bosc, C/ Davallada, C/ Barcelona, C/ Santiago Rusiñol, C/ Jesús, C/ Sant Bartomeu, C/ Sant Gaudenci, C/ Sant Francesc, pl. Cap de la Vila, C/ Parellades, C/ Bonaire, pg. de la Ribera, C/ Nou, C/ Major, pl. Ajuntament, pl. Baluard.

Sunday, August 26

18:30 (approximately); in the square plaça de l’Ajuntament
Photo opportunity - Catalan culture: Human towers (castells)
Teams (colles): Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges, Castellers de les Roquetes and Minyons de Terrassa.
Minyons de Terrassa is one of the absolutely best castellers teams in Catalonia.

22:15; on the beach platja de Sant Sebastià
Catalan culture – Sardana concert and dancing: Revetlla sardanista de cloenda
Band: Cobla Sitgetana

Visca la Festa Major de Sitges!

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Find here the full Festa Major program in Catalan and here the official short version in English, Catalan, French and Spanish.

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By Erik Wirdheim – your guide in English and Swedish to the wine region Penedès (Catalonia, Spain).

Wine Combined with Astronomy in Penedès this Weekend!

Summer is far from over in the wine region Penedès and its comarques – Alt Penedès (Vilafranca del Penedès, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia), Baix Penedès (El Vendrell, Calafell), Garraf (Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú) and Anoia (Igualada, Piera). Here are a few tips about what to do in case you will visit here during the weekend 17-19 August. Click on the name of each comarca below to reach its full agenda in English.

Those who are interested in wine tourism ought to go to Pacs del Penedès in Alt Penedès where there is a guided tour combining a wine tasting with astronomy. Apart from this Alt Penedès offers the town festival (festa major) of Gelida, guided tours to the cultural heritage of Vilafranca del Penedès and Subirats and the peach market in Ordal (Subirats).

In Baix Penedès you will have plenty of opportunities to see (and join?) the Catalan national dance – la Sardana. The biggest meeting of dancers is to take place in Coma-Ruga (one of the beaches in El Vendrell), but there will be people dancing also in the very centre of El Vendrell and on the beach Platja de Calafell. In the historical parts of Calafell there will be a guided tour and a concert at the castle and in L'Arboç you can see human towers (castells) and their "historic predecessor" from the region of Valencia – the Muixeranga d’Algemesí. On top of this, in El Vendrell, there are several concerts belonging to the program of the Pau Casals International Music Festival.

In Garraf, there is a tour guided in English on the history of the town Vilanova i la Geltrú, open-air opera in Sitges and a human tower exhibition in Les Roquetes (Sant Pere de Ribes).

In Anoia, finally, there will be a sweet fruit market (above all peaches) in Piera.

Discover Penedès!

Going to Garraf, Penedès or Anoia this weekend?

Hera area few tips if you plan to visit the wine region Penedès and any of its comarques – Garraf (Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Cubelles etc), Alt Penedès (Vilafranca del Penedès, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia etc), Baix Penedès (El Vendrell, Calafell etc) or Anoia (Igualada, Piera etc) during the weekend 10-12 August. Click on the name for each of the four comarca here in this introduction and you will you reach the full agenda in English.

In Garraf, you can listen to Catalan havaneres in the district Prat de Vilanova. In Sitges they offer open-air opera, short films on the beach and a basketball tournament while in Cubelles there are tournaments in tennis and motocross.

In Alt Penedès you will be able to see the Catalan national dance sardana – or why not even join the circles? Apart from that, Xicots de Vilafranca organise a market centered around craft beer and locally produced (Km 0) food.

In Baix Penedès, you can listen to Catalan havaneres and dance the sardana on the beach platja del Francàs, enjoy any of the concerts of the Pau Casals International Music Festival in Sant Salvador or watch people dance the sardana in the Rambla of El Vendrell. Sports oriented visitors, on the other hand, might prefer the futsal and pétanque tournaments in Segur de Calafell and Calafell.

Attention: Wednesday August 15 is a public holiday in the whole of Spain. In Cubelles, people take the opportunity to celebrate festa major and in La Bisbal del Penedès (Baix Penedès) and Capellades (Anoia) you will be able to see human towers (castells).

Welcome to Penedès!

Swedish-American owned Bed&Breakfast among Penedès vineyards

There are not that many Swedes who live in the Penedès region so there is always a special feeling when you meet a fellow countryman who runs an interesting business here. This is truly the case with Ca Solyerik - a Bed & Breakfast located among the many wineries surrounding the capital of Catalan cava, Sant Sadurni d'Anoia (Alt Penedès, Barcelona).

Located just outside the village of Gelida, it is an old masia (a Catalan stone house) which has been renovated and adapted to today's standards, but maintains a truly rustic feel. It is surrounded by the rolling hills of Penedès - dotted with ruins and old castles - vineyards reaching out in all directions and the striking image of the mountain of Montserrat in the distance. I am convinced that especially those who like to enjoy wine tourism on a bike or by car will soon discover this place.

The spectacular views can be enjoyed from every room of the house, but particularly from the private roof terrace for guests who are staying in the spacious and cozy top suite. I would also like to mention the lounge and, most importantly, the wonderful courtyard with a barbecue area, which made a lasting impression on me.

Ca Solyerik is operated by Swedish-American Helena Centerwall who has arrived here with a solid knowledge of wine and wine tourism from Napa Valley and the Santa Barbara wine region in California (USA). She has quickly integrated into the local community and has, among other things, started PenedesA, a network for women related to cava and wine production in Penedès. Her personality and cooking skills are an integral part of the Ca Solyerik experience, and I will probably find a reason to come back to her as a person in a later post.

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Find here Ca Solyerik’s website.

Svenskdrivet Bed&Breakfast med utsikt över Penedès vingårdar

Vi är inte många svenskar som bor i Penedès-området så det är alltid extra roligt när man träffar en landsman som driver en intressant verksamhet här. Så är verkligen fallet men Ca Solyerik – ett Bed & Breakfast som ligger bland de många vingårdar som omringar den katalanska cavans huvudstad, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Alt Penedès, Barcelona).

Här hittar vi en gammal masia som har renoverats och anpassats till våra dagars förväntningar men som ger en genuint lantlig känsla där det ligger på ett visst avstånd från den lilla staden Gelida. Bakom huset löper Penedès mjuka berg, här och var krönta av någon gammal borg, och framför det sträcker sig vinodlingarna i alla riktingar ända fram till det karaktäristiska berget Montserrat. Jag har en stark känsla av att särskilt de som gillar att njuta av vinturism till cykel, fots eller med bil snart kommer att upptäcka det här stället.

Den spektakulära utsikten kan man njuta av från alla rum i huset, men allra bäst från takterassen, vilken ingår som en bonus för de gäster som hyr den rymliga, mysiga sviten som upptar hela övervåningen. Bland de andra platserna som jag fäste mig för vill jag gärna nämna loungen och, framför allt, den imponerande innergården med grillplats.

Ca Solyerik drivs av svensk-amerikanska Helena Centerwall som har med sig gedigna kunskaper om vin och vinturism från bl. a. Napa Valley i Kalifornien (USA). Hon har snabbt integrerat sig i det lokala samhället och bland annat startat PenedesA - ett nätverk för kvinnor med anknytning till cava- och vintillverkningen i Penedès. Hennes personlighet och färdigheter i matlagning är en integrerad del av upplevelsen Ca Solyerik, och henne som person får jag nog skäl att komma tillbaka till i en senare post.

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Här hittar ni Ca Solyeriks hemsida.

Recommendations on what to do in Garraf, Penedès and Anoia this weekend

Here are a few recommendations on what you might want to do if you will visit the wine region Penedès or any of its towns – Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú (Garraf), Vilafranca del Penedès and Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Alt Penedès), El Vendrell and Calafell (Baix Penedès) or Igualada (Anoia) during the weekend 3-5 August. By clicking on the name (in green colour) for each comarca in this introduction you reach the full agenda in English for that particular area.


Cava and wine tourists might be happy to learn that the winery Joan Sardà in Castellví de la Marca (Alt Penedès) will be open for visits and wine tastings this weekend.

Fans of human towers also have a lot to look forward to – on August 4, Castellers de Vilafranca and Xicots de Vilafranca will both perform at home in Vilafranca del Penedès during the annual classic “Diada de Màrtirs Street” and with Castellers de Barcelona as their guests. Closer to the coast, Bordegassos de Vilanova will perform alone in Vilanova i la Geltrú on August 5.

The big Festa Major of the weekend is the one in Vilanova i la Geltrú which now reaches its peak with seven parades (or more) showing a rich range of Catalan cultural expressions (giants and giant mules, devils and dragons, stick dance and other typical folkdances plus human towers). Possible alternatives are the smaller Festes Majors on the beach platja del Francàs in El Vendrell or in La Llacuna (Anoia) which both, among other things, offer fire-runs (correfoc).

Lovers of the music havaneres must not miss the two-day concert with several well-known bands which is to take place in Calafell. Those who prefer classical music are recommended to go the beach Sant Salvador in El Vendrell where the Pau Casals International Music Festival continues with more concerts. In Sitges, finally, there is a quite unique open-air opera evening.

Those who already look forward to the next Sitges Film Festival should take note that its organizers will show short films on the beach platja de Terramar on August 3.

Among less expected events in Penedès this weekend, I want to mention a hunting fair with falconry demonstrations in Font-Rubí (Alt Penedès).

Those interested in sports will also have a lot to choose between: Open water swimming in Sitges, pétanque, tennis and table tennis in Cubelles and pétanque in Calafell.

In Igualada, finally, there will be a guided tour at the leather museum.

Welcome to Penedès!

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As you see, this week I have presented the events by theme and not according to their geographic location. What do you prefer?

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By Erik Wirdheim – your guide in English and Swedish to the wine region Penedès (Catalonia, Spain).

Vilanova i la Geltrú Sees Best Human Towers so far in 2012

Vilanova i la Geltrú is celebrating its annual Town Festival – Festa Major – and last Saturday did we have the big exhibition of human towers. It started with all three teams entering the square with so called walking pillars (pilars caminants), where the team Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona excelled by turning their construction 450 degrees before dismantling it. After this followed a highly exiting day of human towers, at least for the two teams from Penedès.

We in the local team, Bordegassos de Vilanova, had lived several weeks of good rehearsals, so we were extremely ambitious and had decided to attempt two human towers which we have not built for years. We opened with a 4d8 (c), which was crowned but collapsed during the disassembly, but compensated for that by immediately achieving a 3d8 – a construction which our team had not managed to complete since 2005.



After that we made two attempts with 2d8f – for quite a few of us the first time ever we had been up on the base (pinya), to build a second support ring (folre). Both attempts fell before crowning, but the conclusion by most members is that we have this within reach. We have a very solid stem (tronc) for our 2d7 and just need to learn to manage the increased swaying you get when you add a folre. Bordegassos rounded off with two pillars of 5 levels and apart from the results of the day, we could also celebrate that there were so many of us and - above all - so many new and young faces. An important signal for the future!



When Castellers de Vilafranca visited us last year, they achieved their best exhibition until that date in 2011, and since they had the same target this time, expectations were high in the square plaça de la Vila – "Els Verds" are, after all, the by far best team in Catalonia. And - although that is not surprising, but still highly impressive - they delivered 100%. They opened with a rapid 3d9, followed by 2d9fm, whereby the spectators saw the first “gamma extra” construction of the day. After this they built a 4d9 and then raied the bar and rounded off with their first Pd8fm (again “gamma extra”, of course) for this year.



The third team, Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona, for their part could look back at a great exhibition here in 2011, but had to lower their expectations this time. A few recent falls with human towers of 9 levels had scared their top children (la canalla) and this made them opt for safe constructions. That still left them with the second best total of the today, since they easily completed 5d8, 3d8 and 4d8.



An additional nice memory I have from this day was how one casteller from Vilafranca used the expression “here at home” when he commented on the square in Vilanova. I believe that we have started to build a new nice spirit of mutual support and that feeling is confirmed when you look at the photos of the human towers and see the great amount of members who supported the other teams with their pinyes. I am personally one of the yellow dots in the photos of the giant Pd8fm but have problems identifying myself, since there were so many of us.

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The Festa Major of Vilanova i la Geltú has started but the most traditional parts are still to come, during its main days August 4-5. Find here the full program in English.

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Photo by Maite Gomà